thoughts on my heart

Okay so I was looking through the Word today and came across something that I copied from I think My Utmost for His Highest. I had it written at the end of 2 Timothy dated June of 2007. Which is one of the reasons I love writing my notes right in to my Bible. Seems like God always brings them back at the perfect time! It really hit me today how important it is to fully obey in trust to the Lord and so I thought I would share it.

"Loving can often feel like a risky, sometimes losing proposition, which is why we need another ingredient to release the power of the love that conquers fear. That ingredient is trust. Trusting that God will protect you when you are fearful, that God will reward you when you feel at risk, that God will give you guidance and courage when you feel lost and intimidated is what it takes to defeat the fear that holds you back. Are you afraid that when you love you will become vulnerable, misunderstood, taken advantage of or misused? Trust God to watch over you, meet your needs and give you His best, and those fears will become increasingly none existent when our lives are characterized by trust-filled love fear ultimately will not be a factor."

I don't think it is by coincidence that this was situated right after 2 Timothy. Just a few lines up are the Apostle Paul's dying words. "The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever, Amen." How amazing to think even in the face of death Paul was still fully obeying God in trust.

I want to trust the Lord and be so situated in Him that I am free to love according to who He has created me to be. God has spent a year giving me opportunity after opportunity to live out an obedient trust. I was talking with someone just today and realizing that if I am fully trusting in God and ultimately trusting who God has created me to be I am free to love. To love whomever and wherever, rightly under God's authority and ultimately so much more authentically. Because I am not loving with selfish ambition. That trusting God in obedience means I am literally being filled to the top with what I NEED by my Creator. Everything else is just sweet addition to my day because I am free and situated in Christ. So much easier said than done. I wish I could say I sail through this topic with God, not true. But that is okay I am willing to learn and I think that is half the battle.

Being willing to say I don't always trust you, God. What I usually do is jump out of the boat, I see Jesus on the shore, I start to run on the water and all at once I am met with insecurity, doubt, mistrust, etc. Today the Lord reminded me that yes I am going to mess up. Because of my brokenness and humanness I will sin, trip and start to sink. But....with an obedient trust situated in my being I will not be allowed to wallow in my mistakes. I will no longer be able to wallow in my self absorbed mistrust and look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I will be free. Again appropriating the blood and living a saved life. That with my willingness to trust God I am opening the door for Him to reveal HIS BEST, HIS PROTECTION, HIS TIMING and HIS LOVE! That is so super cool! It is moments like this that make the Walking worth it!

Love to you today!
Cari

FCA High School Huddle Meeting! God is at work in mighty ways! Please continue to pray for Greater Fort Worth FCA!

"You put a patch in my head!"

Okay so I don't know if any mothers out there can relate, but sometimes I get ahead of myself. I have days were I get on a roll and I am just knocking down "to do's" left and right. Some mornings I just wake up and hit the ground running and don't even look up until I am washing my face to go to bed.

It is in those days of feeling like I am "wonder woman" that I get ahead of myself and start thinking I can do more jobs than I actually am capable of doing. Granted I wear a lot of hats. Wife, mom, chef, maid, counselor, sweetheart, business woman, banker, friend, chauffeur, gardener, doctor and nurse, and this most recent hour of my life an actual food source.

So the other day, I am rockin' and rollin' on getting some major things accomplished. I should have known better because it was at the end of the day, and at the end of every day I think my eyes start to cross. But none the less I was feeling "wonder womanish" and during dinner I was looking at Cade and decided he needed a hair trim. In an "everything I touch is turning gold today" moment I walked in full confidence back to get Toby's hair trimmer. I marched right back in and asked Cade to stay still -okay he is two, what was I thinking! - and proceeded to "trim" around his ears. One false move and I am immediately drawn into reality. I gasp and say "Oh no I just put a patch in your head!". And then just like any precious two year old, Cade immediately repeats me "You put a patch in my head!"



The moral of the story.....take a deep breath and schedule an appointment at Sport's Clips tomorrow!

Bless heart!!
Cari

Just a few pics from the Park! We love our double stroller!!! Thank you Amma, Pa, Mimi and Boompa!

Happy Birthday Mandy!

We want to say a big Happy Birthday to Aunt Mandy! Mandy you are a joy to us all and we are so excited for you and all you are doing. Thanks so much for your sweet spirit and your giving heart. Our whole family is better with Mandy. We hope you have a great 26th birthday and we hope you have a great weekend with friends. We love you!

Happy Birthday Aunt Mangie! We Love You!!

Happy Birthday Jace!

I found this picture from over a year ago...you boys are growing so fast! We love you Jace and cannot believe you are already two! Hope you enjoyed your birthday week!